SECTION 8
THE FUSELAGE
RV-8/8A
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8s8PP-1 r1 06/23/11
RV-8A Only:
Cleco then rivet the F-802R-L-1 & -R-1 Fuselage Bulkheads to the F-802VPP Fuselage Bulkhead
Brace.
RV-8A Only: NOTE: Do not rivet the bottom flange of the F-802R bulkheads at this time.
Cleco the F
-
802R / F-802VPP assembly in place on the forward fuselage assembly. Rivet the F-802W-L-1 & -R-1 Longeron
Clips to the F-843-L-1 & -R-1 Lower Longerons and F-890-1 Fwd Floor Panel.
If a final decision has been made on using a carbureted or fuel injected engine, the fuel filter mounting bracket
and the proper fuel pump mounting bracket should be installed now. Refer to the Fuel System installation sec-
tion and DWG 82 / DWG 82A.
NOTE: If an engine choice has not yet been made, the brackets can be in-
stalled when you get to the Fuel System Installation section later in the construction manual.
It is optional to fit and make the fuel system and brake lines at this time. Even if you haven’t decided on which fuel
pump you will require, the fuel lines from each fuel tank to the fuel valve can be made. The installation is simplified
because of the greatly improved access in the area of the fwd cockpit floor and the L.G. Boxes (RV-8). If you
choose to do so, temporarily cleco the F-844-L Auxiliary Longeron, and F-883-1 or F-883A-1 Fuel Valve Bracket in
place on the fwd fuselage (DWG 67 & 68 for RV-8 or 67A & 68A for RV-8A). Refer to DWG 82 & 83 (for an RV-8)
or DWG 82A (for an RV-8A), and the FUEL SYSTEM & BRAKE SYSTEM sections of the construction manual.
Once the lines are made and installed, most can easily be removed and then reinstalled after painting.
RV-8 Only: NOTE: Before installing F-820-L-1 & -R-1 Fwd Side Skins in this step, apply a 1/8 bead of fuel
tank sealant along the flange corner of the F-801A-1 Firewall where it will contact the fwd side skins.
Cleco the F-844-L Auxiliary Longeron, F-802S-1 Spacer, F-802D-L-1 L. G. Box Plate
to
the F-820-L-1 Fwd Side
Skin with a small number of clecos (DWG 67). Cleco the left fwd side skin in place on the fwd portion of the
fuselage. Repeat this step for the right side.
RV-8 Only:
Because of the difficulty installing the MSP-42 blind rivets at the bottom of the wing spar opening on
left and right F-823-1 Mid Side Skins, they need to be installed now. Uncleco the bottom portion of left F-823-1
Mid Side Skin so it and the F-804H-1 Center Section Side Plate can be pulled away from the underlying struc-
ture enough to install the blind rivets (DWG 74).
RV-8 Only:
Repeat the previous step with the right side skins.
RV-8 Only:
Cleco the F-848-1 Upper Longeron Gusset, F-846-1 Gusset, and F-845-1 Gusset in place on each
side of the fuselage (DWG 67).
RV-8 Only:
Uncleco and remove the F-870-1 Fwd Baggage Floor, and F-871-1 Fwd Baggage Side (DWG 63).
RV-8 Only:
Uncleco and remove the F-866A -1 Lower Fwd Baggage Bulkhead and the F-866B-1 Upper Fwd
Baggage Bulkhead, to improve riveting access.
RV-8A Only: NOTE: Before installing F-891-L-1 & -R-1 Fwd Side Skins in this step, apply a 1/8 bead of
fuel tank sealant along the flange corner of the F-801A-1 Firewall where it will contact the fwd side
skins.
Cleco the F-898-L Auxiliary Longeron to the F-891-L-1 Fwd Side Skin with a small number of clecos
(DWG 67A). Cleco the left fwd side skin in place on the fwd portion of the fuselage.
RV-8A Only:
Repeat the previous step using the same parts for the right side.
RV-8A Only:
Because of the difficulty installing the MSP-42 blind rivets at the bottom of the wing spar opening
on left and right F-823-1 Mid Side Skins, they need to be installed now. Uncleco the bottom portion of left F-
823-1 Mid Side Skin so that it and the F-804H-1 Center Section Side Plate can be pulled away from the under-
lying structure enough to install the blind rivets (DWG 74).
RV-8A Only:
Repeat the previous step with the right side skins.
RV-8A Only:
Cleco the left and right F-848-1 Upper Longeron Gussets in place (See “Fwd Fuse Side Skins and
Structure”, DWG 67A).
RV-8A Only:
Cleco the F
-
895B-1 Spacers and F-895-L-1 & -R-1 Doubler Plates in place on the sides of the
fuselage (DWG 67A).
RV-8A Only:
Uncleco and remove the F-871-1 Fwd Baggage Side (DWG 63).
Add some ballast to the fwd fuselage floor in preparation for adding the tail cone.
Cleco the F-807 Bulkhead in place on the fuselage. Rivet the web of the F-807 Bulkhead to the F-813-L-1 & -
R-1 Aft Outboard Seat Ribs (DWG 69).
RV-8/8A
SECTION 8
THE FUSELAGE
8-36
8s8PP-1 r1 06/23/11
Cleco then rivet the F-818B-L-1 & -R-1 Baggage Rib Angles to the F-818-L-1 &-R-1 Baggage Ribs (DWG 71).
Rivet the nutplates to the F-818B-L-1 & -R-1 Baggage Rib Angles.
Cleco, then rivet the F-818-L-1 & -R-1 Baggage Ribs to web of the F-807 Bulkhead and F-814B-L-1 & -R-1 In-
board Seat Ribs.
Dimple the attachment rivet holes in four nutplates, then rivet them to the F-824B Cover Plate opening, at the
aft end of the F-824-L-1 & -R-1 Aft Side Skins (See “Detail A”, DWG 74).
Rivet the three nutplates to the F-888-L-1 & -R-1 Mid Longerons.
NOTE: Do not rivet holes that are common to the F-807, F-808, or F-809 Bulkhead Assemblies in this
step.
Back rivet the left and right F-888-1 Aft Mid Longerons to their appropriate F-824-L-1 & -R-1 Aft Side
Skins
.
Cleco the F-824-L-1 & -R-1 Aft Side Skins to the left and right F-823-1 Mid Side Skins, F-807 Bulkhead and the
F-887-L-1 & -R-1 Upper Longerons.
RV-8 Only:
Cleco the F-811C-1 Angle and the two F-811B-1 Stab Attach Bars to the F-811 Bulkhead (See “F-
811-1 Bulkhead Assembly” , DWG 70). Rivet all but the bottom hole in each stab attach bar. Cleco the WD-
409 Tail Spring Mount and any shims made when it was previously fitted, in place on the F-811 Bulkhead As-
sembly and clamp in position. Final-Drill 1/4 for the attach bolts (See “View B-B”, DWG 73). Remove the tail
spring mount and deburr the holes in all the parts.
RV-8 Only:
Mount the WD-409 Tail Spring Mount and shims to the F-811 Bulkhead Assembly using bolts (See
“View B-B”, DWG 73).
RV-8 Only: NOTE: Do not rivet any holes that are also common to the F-889-L-1 &-R-1 Lower Longerons
and F-824-L-1 &-R-1 Aft Side Skins in this step.
Cleco then rivet the F-812 Bulkhead Assembly to the F-828-
1 Aft Bottom Skin. It is helpful to position the aft bottom skin so that it is hanging off of the edge of your work
table and held in position with a 25 lb. shot bag or other heavy object
.
RV-8 Only:
Cleco and rivet the F-811 Bulkhead Assembly to the F-828-1 Aft Bottom Skin.
NOTE: Do not rivet
any holes that are also common to the F-889-L-1 &-R-1 Lower Longerons and F-824-L-1 &-R-1 Aft Side
Skins.
RV-8 Only:
Cleco and rivet the aft end of the tail spring mount with the two keeper rivets (See “View A-A”, DWG
73).
RV-8A Only:
Cleco, then rivet, the F-811C-1 Angle and the two F-811B-1 Stab Attach Bars to the F-811 Bulk-
head (See “F-811-1 Bulkhead Assembly”, DWG 70)
RV-8A Only:
Cleco and rivet the F-811 and F-812 Bulkhead Assemblies to the F-828-1 Aft Bottom Skin. It is
helpful to position the aft bottom skin so that it is hanging off of the edge of your work table and held in position
with a 25 lb. shot bag or other heavy object
. NOTE: Do not rivet any holes that are also common to the F-
889-L-1 &-R-1 Lower Longerons and F-824-L-1 &-R-1 Aft Side Skins.
Slide the aft end of the F-889-L-1 & -R-1 Lower Longerons into position on the F-811 and F-812 Bulkhead As-
semblies.
Cleco the F-811 Bulkhead / F-812 Bulkhead / F-828-1 Aft Bottom Skin / F-889-L-1 & -R-1 Lower Longerons,
Subassembly to the F-824-L-1 & -R-1 Aft Side Skins.
Cleco the left and right F-857C Angles, F-808-1 and F-809-1 Bulkhead Assemblies and F-810B-1 Bulkhead in
place on the F-824-L-1 & -R-1 Aft Side Skins (DWG 71).
Rivet the aft end of the F-818-L-1 & -R-1 Baggage Bulkheads to the F-808 Bulkhead Assembly.
Cleco the F-842-1 Aft Bottom Skin Fwd in place on the fuselage.
For improved riveting access, reposition the fuselage on short sawhorses directly below the F-804 Center Sec-
tion Bulkhead Assembly, and the F-810 Bulkhead Assembly. Riveting the fuselage inverted may be easier if
riveting with two people.
SKIN RIVETING
For fuselage skin riveting, refer to the skin diagrams and rivet size legend on DWG 74 or 74A as a guide for deter-
mining rivet sizes.
It is helpful to support the fuselage upside down while riveting. Particularly if working with a helper as it can be posi-
